Becky James guaranteed at least silver after reaching women's sprint final in Minsk

Becky James will win at least a silver medal in the women's individual sprint in Minsk.

Last Updated: 23/02/13 7:33pm

Becky James defeated Guo Shuang 2-0 in the semi-final

The 21-year-old, who earlier in the week won bronzes in the team sprint and individual 500m time trial, brushed aside two-time Olympic bronze medallist Guo Shuang 2-0 in a one-sided semi-final and will now face Germany's Kristina Vogel for the world title.

Vogel goes into the race with the greater pedigree, having been crowned world team sprint champion twice - the second time in Minsk this week - and Olympic team sprint champion once.

But it would be foolish to write off James, who has come of age in the Belarusian capital and proved herself as a world-class sprinter.

Having been the only rider to break the 11-second mark in qualifying and then comprehensively beaten Australia's Kaarle McCulloch 2-0 in the quarter-finals, she delivered an equally emphatic victory over Shuang.

The Chinese rider finished third at both Beijing 2008 and London 2012, but was powerless to stop her young British opponent dominating both races of their last-four clash.

Kenny progresses

In the men's sprint, Jason Kenny booked his place in the quarter-finals after wins over Pavel Kelemen (Cze) and then Stefan Botticher (Ger). He will now face New Zealand's Sam Webster in the last eight.

But he is the only Briton left in the competition after Philip Hindes was knocked out in the first round and Matt Crampton fell to the same fate in the second-round repechage.

Elsewhere, Jon Dibben moved up to seventh overall in the men's omnium after impressive performances in races four and five.

The 19-year-old was an impressive fifth in the individual pursuit, but then produced a superb display to win the scratch race. New Zealand's Aaron Gate heads the standings with only the time trial remaining.

Laura Trott, meanwhile, made a mixed start to the defence of her world omnium title.

She opened up with a third-place finish in the flying lap, but then could only finish 10th in the points race, meaning she is fifth overall with four events remaining. The USA's Sarah Hammer leads.